USOO8113288B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,113,288 B2

Bachtell et al. (45) Date of Patent: Feb. 14, 2012
(54) SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING 5,871,048 A 2f1999 Tokar et al.
PRODUCTION IN GAS-LIFT WELLS 5,896,924 A 4/1999 Carmody et al.
5,915,478 A 6/1999 Brown et al.
5.937,945 A 8, 1999 Bussear et al.
(76) Inventors: David Bachtell, White Oak, TX (US); 6,182,756 B1 2/2001 Garcia et al.
Charles Bachtell, Longview, TX (US); 6,352,109 B1 3/2002 Buckman, Sr.
Mike Bachtell, Bossier City, LA (US) 6,454,002 B1 9, 2002 Stokes et al.
6,491,105 B2 12/2002 Holt, Jr.
6,511,041 B2 1/2003 Faustinelli
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 6,516,879 B1 2/2003 Hershberger
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 6,568.473 B2 5/2003 de Almeida
U.S.C. 154(b) by 107 days. 6,568.478 B2 5/2003 De Almeida
6,595,294 B1 7/2003 Dalsmo et al.
(21) Appl. No.: 12/686,614 6,705,397 B2 3/2004 Hershberger
6,715,550 B2 4/2004 Vinegar et al.
6,758,277 B2 7/2004 Vinegar et al.
(22) Filed: Jan. 13, 2010 6,807,501 B1 10/2004 Hyde
6,854,518 B1 2/2005 Senyard, Sr. et al.
(65) Prior Publication Data 6,863,125 B2 3/2005 Ivannikov et al.
6,932.581 B2 8, 2005 Messick
US 2011 (0168413 A1 Jul. 14, 2011 7,086,417 B2 8, 2006 De Almeida
7,147,059 B2 12/2006 Hirsch et al.
(51) Int. C. 7,308.952 B2 12/2007 Strazhgorodskiy
E2IB 43/40 (2006.01) 7,360,602 B2 4/2008 Kritzler et al.
7,363,983 B2 4/2008 Martinez et al.
(52) U.S. Cl. .................... 166/372; 166/90.1; 166/105.6; 7,370,706 B2 5/2008 Becker et al.
166/252.1; 166/309 7.464,763 B2 12/2008 Galloway et al.
(58) Field of Classification Search ........................ None 2009/0229831 A1* 9/2009 Zupanick ...................... 166/372
See application file for complete search history. * cited by examiner
(56) References Cited Primary Examiner — Zakiya W Bates
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Mark D. Perdue
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,267,885 A 5, 1981 Sanderford (57) ABSTRACT
4,453,568 A 6, 1984 Canalizo
4,545,731 A 10, 1985 Canalizo et al. The system and method are utilized to control the flow of
4,596,516 A 6, 1986 Scott et al. crude oil, natural gas, and field produced salt water to opti
5,066,198 A 11, 1991 Decker mize production from an oil or gas well. The invention is
5,069,242 A 12/1991 Kilgore suitable for use with a well that utilizes gas-lift as artificial lift.
5,172,717 A 12/1992 Boyle et al. The equipment is designed to regulate the flow of injection
5,176,164 A 1/1993 Boyle gas into the production tubing to optimize production of the
5,522,418 A 6, 1996 Johnson et al.
5,634.522 A 6/1997 Hershberger well.
5,707,214. A 1/1998 Schmidt
5,826,659 A 10/1998 Hershberger 18 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets

& isite
SURAcecastic

ASFTWAWES

FACKER

PROUTUBE

PRUNGINA

RNASN
WELLHEAD e
Mf•IWA_ =a@
SALES METER

11 COMPRESSOR LINE COMPRESSOR

0
111 L.;; � ==-=-:::;.=====- -=-=== =
Dl�E ==-==--=-::c.=:c- J
iii
s :::::: :a 11 e-;;e;-::::;;

� �
�-=-=;:J0
l,l1NLET

- - -
GAS LIFT UNIT

INJECTION LINE G lk.s=-==--=-=::;;.=-=-s=-.;;:::-=-:::,.=-=-s=-=-=-===-s�

SURFACE CASING

GAS LIFTVALVES

PACKER
Figure I
PRODUCTION 11JBING

PRODUCING INTERVAL

PRODUCTION CASING
 PRESSURE SENSOR

GAS LIFT METER

RELIEF VALVE REGUIJI.TOR

MAKE-UP GAS
VALVE

0
0 COMPRESSOR
LINE

SEPARArOR
----

GAS-INJECTION INLET LINE

LINE
LEVEL
CONTROLLER

Figure 2
 Gas Lift Surface Process - Unloaded Condition

(Desired Gas Lift Volume Injected into Casing)

,.
Oil or Gas
�� Separator � Compressor �� Measurement
Producing Well Suction= 100 PSIG of Injection Gas
175 PSIG 160 PSIG Discharge = 800 PSIG 795 PSIG
(700 MCFD, 50 BWPD, 5 BOPD) (700 MCFD, 50 BWPD, 5 BOPD) (500 MCFD) (500 MCFD)

® 0

-� i................. j Make-up Gas

I
Flowline - (Full Well-
Stream or Separator)
150 PSIG
(200 MCFD, 50 BWPD, 5 BOPD)

Figure 3
 Gas Lift Surface Process - Loaded Condition

(Less Than Desired Gas Lift Volume Injected into Casing)

Oil or Gas Separator Compressor Measurement

------+ ------+ ------+
Producing Well Suction = 40 PSIG of Injection Gas
60 PSIG 40 PSIG Discharge;;;;: 1000 PSIG 995 PSIG
(200 MCFD} (200 MCFD) (200 MCFD) (100 MCFD)

Make-up Gas
100 PSIG
(100 MCFD)

Flowline - (Full Well­

Stream or Separator)
150 PSIG
(0 MCFD, 0 BWPD, 0 BOPD)

Figure 4
 Gas Lift Surface Process - Unloading Condition

____________________________ (Gas_ Lift Temporarily Suspended to Dump_Separator)___________________________ --.

®
Oil or Gas
1-----+ Separator
I_____.,
Compressor -0- Measurement
Producing Well Suction = 90 PSIG of Injection Gas
175 PSIG 160 PSIG Discharge = 500 PSIG 995 PSIG
(50 MCFD, 100 BWPD, 10 BOPD) {50 MCI-D, 100 BWPIJ, 10 BOPD) (50 MCFD) (100 MCFD)
,a.

'
Make-up Gas
200 PSIG
,I, (50 MCFD)

Flowline - (Full Well-

Stream or Separator)
150 PSIG
(0 MCFD, 100 BWPD, 10 BOPD)

Figure 5
 US 8,113,288 B2
1.
SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING
PRODUCTION IN GAS-LIFT WELLS
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to optimizing the produc
tion of hydrocarbons from oil orgas wells and in particular to
a system and method for regulating the flow of injection gas
into the production tubing of one or more gas-lift wells.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Without limiting the scope of the present invention, its
background is described with reference to optimizing the
production of hydrocarbons from a well that uses gas injec
tion to artificially lift the fluid contained in the wellbore.
It is well known in the subterranean well operation arts that
the natural pressure of the formation in which the well is
completed may be or may become insufficient to produce
fluids out of the wellbore, such that the fluids do not flow to
the surface at an optimal volume flow rate or do not flow at all.
In order to restore production to the optimal volume flow rate,
therefore, an artificial method of producing the fluids through
the wellbore must be implemented.
A common method used to increase or restore production
to a well is a gas-lift system, whereby some of the gas pro
duced from one or more wells is injected back into the pro
duction tubing of the well at one or more downhole locations.
This effectively reduces the density of the fluid column in the
wellbore, allowing the reservoir pressure to lift the fluid out of
the wellbore.
In typical gas-lift wells, fluids produced from the produc
tion wellbore are routed into a separator tank on the Surface.
The separator may be fed by one or more production wells.
Once separated from the water, oil, and other fluids produced
from the reservoir, the gas is usually then routed to a com
pressor to increase its pressure. After the compression stage,
the gas may be sent to a sales line, a gas-injection line, or both.
Gas that is routed into the gas-injection line is injected into the
fluid column in the production tubing of the wellbore of the
gas-lift well. This is usually accomplished by installing gas
lift valves on the production tubing that allow the injection
gas to be forced into the annulus and pass into the production
tubing and the fluid column contained therein.
To maximize fluid production from a gas-lift well, the
Volume flow rate of the injection gas must be maintained at an
optimum level. In typical gas lift systems, however, some gas
is sent to the sales line even if the optimum volume flow rate
of injection gas has not been reached. Thus, the well may
produce below the optimum level for an extended time. Fur
ther, because both sales gas and injection gas are compressed,
the power requirements of the compressor fluctuate with fluc
tuations in the volume flow rate of gas produced by the well.
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to priori
tize maintaining the optimum level of gas production using
the gas-lift process over sending gas into the sales line when
the well is not producing gas at the optimum rate due to
decreases in formation pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a system and
method for regulating the flow of injection gas into the pro
duction tubing of a gas-lift well.
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a system
and method for regulating the flow of injection gas into the
fluid column within the production tubing of the gas-lift well
2
when the volume flow rate of gas flowing from the well into
the separator equals or exceeds the desired volume flow rate
of gas entering the gas-injection line for injecting into the
production tubing, and the non-gaseous fluid level of the
separator is below a predetermined maximum level. Gas is
constantly sent from the separator into the gas-injection line
at the desired volume flow rate for injection gas, and if the
volume flow rate of gas flowing from the well into the sepa
rator exceeds the desired Volume flow rate of injection gas,
10 the remaining gas and other fluids produced by the well are
sent into a sales line.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a
system and method for regulating the flow of injection gas
into the fluid column within the production tubing of the
15 gas-lift well when the volume flow rate of gas flowing from
the well into the separator is less than the desired volume flow
rate of gas entering the gas-injection line for injecting into the
production tubing, and the non-gaseous fluid level of the
separatoris below a predetermined maximum level. Some gas
is constantly sent from the separator into the gas-injection
line at less than the desired Volume flow rate for injection gas,
and the remaining gas is sent from the separator into a make
up gas line that routs the gas back into the separator.
In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a
25 system and method for regulating the flow of injection gas
into the fluid column within the production tubing of the
gas-lift well when the non-gaseous fluid level of the separator
is above a predetermined maximum level. The gas lift process
is temporarily Suspended to dump the excess non-gaseous
30 fluid from the separator into a sales line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the features and
35 advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to
the detailed description of the invention along with the
accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in
the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:
FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations of an apparatus
40 for separating and compressing gas produced from a single
well and injecting it back into the fluid column within the
production tubing of the well of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting the method of the present
invention when the volume flow rate of gas flowing from the
45 well into the separator equals or exceeds the desired Volume
flow rate of gas entering the gas-injection line, and the non
gaseous fluid level of the separator is below a predetermined
maximum level and in which the preferred volume flow rate
of injection gas is 500 thousand cubic feet per day.
50 FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting the method of the present
invention when the volume flow rate of gas flowing from the
well into the separator is less than the desired volume flow
rate of gas entering the gas-injection line, and the non-gas
eous fluid level of the separator is below a predetermined
55 maximum level and in which the preferred volume flow rate
of injection gas is 500 thousand cubic feet per day.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting the method of the present
invention when the non-gaseous fluid level of the separator is
above a predetermined maximum level and in which the
60 preferred volume flow rate of injection gas is 500 thousand
cubic feet per day.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
65 While the making and using of various embodiments of the
present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be
appreciated that the present invention provides many appli
 US 8,113,288 B2
3 4
cable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide
variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments dis
cussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make
and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the
present invention.
Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus for sepa
rating gas produced from a single production and gas-lift well
and injecting gas into the fluid column within the production
tubing of the gas-lift well is schematically illustrated and
generally designated at 10. Gas, oil, saltwater, and other fluids
produced in production casing 12 are transported to the Sur
face inside production tubing 14, which is supported by well
head 16. At wellhead 16, the fluids are directed into separator
18 through inlet line 20 that connects to inlet 22. Separator 18
is equipped with first outlet 24 for directing gas into compres
Sor line 26 and second outlet 28 for directing gas into sales
line 30. Compressor line 26 directs gas into compressor 32.
Pressure sensor 34 located on compressor line 26 measures
the Suction pressure of compressor 32.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, and as further explained in
more detail below, gas exiting compressor 32 may be routed
through gas-injection line 36, which directs the gas back into
production tubing 14 through one or more gas lift valves 38
located on production tubing 14. Gas lift meter 40 records the
pressure and Volume flow rate of gas that is injected for gas lift
via gas-injection line 36. Gas exiting compressor 32 may also
be routed through make-up gas line 42 that feeds back into
separator 18 via make-up gas inlet 44. Dump valve 46 is
located on make-up gas line 42 and is actuated by level
controller 48, which measures the non-gaseous fluid level in
separator 18. Make-up gas valve 50 is located on make-up gas
line 42 in parallel with dump valve 46. Make-up gas valve 50
is actuated by pressure sensor 34, which measures the Suction
pressure of compressor 32, which is approximately equal to
the pressure within separator 18.
Even though FIG. 1 depicts a single well that supplies
produced or production fluids (production well) and is the
recipient of injected gas (gas-lift well), it should be noted by
those skilled in the art that the system and method for regu
lating the flow of injection gas of the present invention are
equally well-suited for use in Systems wherein production
from multiple wells flows into a single separator or where a
single separator and/or compressor Supplies gas to multiple
gas-lift wells Further, even though FIG. 1 depicts a vertical
well, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the
system and method for regulating the flow of injection gas of
the present invention are equally well-suited for use in devi
ated wells, inclined wells, or horizontal wells. Still further,
even though FIG. 1 depicts an onshore operation, it should be
noted by those skilled in the art that the system and method for
regulating the flow of injection gas of the present invention
are equally well-suited for offshore operations.
Referring now to FIG.3, therein is depicted an aspect of the
present invention in which the well is in the “unloaded con
dition,” that is, when the volume flow rate of gas flowing from
the well into separator 18 equals or exceeds the desired vol
ume flow rate of gas in gas-injection line 36 for injecting into
production tubing 14 and the non-gaseous fluid level of sepa
rator 18 is below a predetermined maximum level. In a pre
ferred embodiment, the unloaded condition is indicated when
the pressure of separator 18 as indicated by pressure sensor 34
equals or exceeds a predetermined minimum value and the
non-gaseous fluid level of separator 18 measured by level
controller 48 is below a predetermined maximum level. It
should be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that the
unloaded condition may be indicated by a variety of means.
When the well of the present invention is in the unloaded
condition, gas produced from the well is routed into separator
18. Gas exits separator 18 via first outlet 24 and is directed
through compressor line 26 into compressor 32. In a preferred
embodiment, compressor 32 is sized or configured such that
its maximum discharge Volume flow rate equals the desired
Volume flow rate of gas in gas-injection line 36 to be injected
into production tubing 14. Dump valve 46 is closed, and
make-up gas valve 50 is closed. Thus, compressor 32 will
10 constantly send gas into gas-injection line 36 at the desired
injection volume flow rate as long as the volume flow rate of
fluids produced by the well equals or exceeds the desired
injection volume flow rate. If the volume flow rate of gas
entering separator 18 equals the maximum discharge Volume
15 flow rate of compressor 32, then no fluids in separator 18 enter
sales line 30. If the volume flow rate of gas entering separator
18 exceeds the maximum discharge volume flow rate of com
pressor 32, then the fluids remaining in separator 18 exit
separator 18 via second outlet 28 and into sales line 30.
In the example of FIG. 3, the desired volume flow rate of
gas in gas-injection line 36 for injecting into production tub
ing 14 is about 500 thousand cubic feet per day ("MCFD). In
the example depicted, the Volume flow rate of gas flowing
from the well into separator 18 is about 700 MCFD, the
25 volume flow rate of saltwater produced is about 50 barrels of
saltwater per day (“BWPD), and the volume flow rate of oil
produced is about 5 barrels of oil per day (“BOPD). In the
example depicted, the predetermined maximum level of non
gaseous fluids in separator 18 is not exceeded. The pressure of
30 separator 18 is about 160 psig, which exceeds the predeter
mined minimum value for maintaining the unloaded condi
tion in the embodiment depicted. Compressor 32 is sized or
configured such that its maximum discharge flow rate equals
500 MCFD, which corresponds to the desired injection flow
35 rate.
Again, because the unloaded condition exists in the
example depicted in FIG. 4, dump valve 46 is closed and
make-up gas valve 50 is closed. Thus, compressor 32 will
constantly send gas into gas-injection line 36 at about 500
40 MCFD as long as the volume flow rate of gas produced by the
well equals or exceeds said desired injection volume flow rate
of 500 MCFD. In the example depicted, the volume flow rate
of gas produced at wellhead 16 is about 700 MCFD, there
fore, the remaining gas in separator 18, equal to about 200
45 MCFD, is sent to sales line 30, along with the saltwater and oil
in separator 18.
FIG. 4 depicts a second aspect of the present invention in
which the well is in the "loaded condition,” that is, when the
volume flow rate of gas flowing from the well into separator
50 18 is less than the desired volume flow rate of gas in gas
injection line 36 and the non-gaseous fluid level of separator
18 is below a predetermined maximum level. In a preferred
embodiment, the loaded condition is indicated when the suc
tion pressure of compressor 32 as indicated by pressure sen
55 sor 34 is below a predetermined minimum value and the
non-gaseous fluid level of separator 18 measured by level
controller 48 is below a predetermined maximum level. It
should be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that the
loaded condition may be indicated by a variety of means.
60 When the well of the present invention is in the loaded
condition, fluids produced from the well are routed into sepa
rator 18. Gas exits separator 18 via first outlet 24 and is
directed through compressor line 26 into compressor 32.
Dump valve 46 is closed and make-up gas valve 50 is open.
65 Thus, gas exits compressor 32 to both gas-injection line 36
and make-up gas line 42. Gas entering gas-injection line 36 is
routed into production tubing 14 through gas lift valves 38.
 US 8,113,288 B2
5 6
Gas entering make-up gas line 42 is routed into separator 18
via make-up gas inlet 44. Once the Volume flow rate of gas
produced by the well and flowing into separator 18 equals or
exceeds the desired Volume flow rate of gas for injecting into
production tubing 14, make-up gas valve 50 is closed, thereby
cutting off the gas flow from compressor 32 to make-up gas
line 42, and the well of the present invention is again in the
“unloaded’ condition.
In the example of FIG. 4, the desired volume flow rate of
gas for injecting into production tubing 14 is about 500
MCFD. In the example depicted, the volume flow rate of gas
flowing from the well into separator 18 is about 200 MCFD.
The predetermined maximum level of non-gaseous fluids in
separator 18 is not exceeded, however, the pressure of sepa
rator 18 is about 40 psig, which is less than the predetermined
minimum value for maintaining the unloaded condition in the
preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 4.
Because the loaded condition exists, make-up gas valve 50
is open. Dump valve 46 is closed. Gas flows through gas
injection line 36 at about 100 MCFD and make-up gas line 42
at about 100 MCFD. Gas entering gas-injection line 36 is
routed into production tubing 14 through gas lift valves 38.
Gas entering make-up gas line 42 is routed into separator 18
via make-up gas inlet 44. Once the Volume flow rate of gas
produced by the well and flowing into separator 18 equals or
exceeds 500 MCFD, make-up gas valve 50 is closed, and the
well is again in the “unloaded’ condition.
FIG. 5 depicts a third aspect of the present invention in
which the well is in the “unloading condition,” that is, when
the non-gaseous fluid level of separator 18 exceeds a desired
maximum non-gaseous fluid level. When the unloading con
dition exists, the gas lift process is temporarily suspended to
dump the excess non-gaseous fluids from separator 18. In a
preferred embodiment, the unloading condition is indicated
when the non-gaseous fluid level of separator 18 measured by
level controller 48 is above a predetermined maximum level.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that
the unloading condition may be indicated by a variety of
CaS.
When the well of the present invention is in the unloading
condition, fluids produced from the well are routed into sepa
rator 18. Gas exits separator 18 via first outlet 24 and is
directed through compressor line 26 into compressor 32.
Make-up gas valve 50 is open and dump valve 46 is open.
Thus, gas exits compressor 32 only to make-up gas line 42
and is routed into separator 18 via make-up gas inlet 44, and
excess non-gaseous fluids are continually dumped from sepa
rator 18 into sales line 30. This process continues until the
non-gaseous fluid level of separator 18 is equal to or below a
predetermined maximum level, at which point dump valve 46
is closed.
In the example of FIG. 5, the volume flow rate of gas
flowing from the well into separator 18 is about 50 MCFD, the
volume flow rate of saltwater produced at wellhead 16 is
about 100 BWPD, and the volume flow rate of oil produced at
wellhead 16 is about 10 BOPD. In the present example, the
unloading condition is indicated by level controller 48, which
detects that the level of non-gaseous fluids in separator 18 is
above a predetermined maximum level.
Because the unloading condition exists in the example
depicted, dump valve 46 is open. Make-up gas is continually
routed into separator 18 via make-up gas inlet 44 and excess
non-gaseous fluids are continually dumped from separator 18
into sales line 30. This process continues until the non-gas
eous fluid level of separator 18 is equal to or below the
predetermined maximum level, at which point dump valve 46
is closed.
While this invention has been described with reference to
illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to
be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and
combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other
embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons
skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is,
therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any
Such modifications or embodiments.
What is claimed is:
10 1. A method of injecting gaseous fluid produced from a
production well into a gas-lift well at a selected injection
Volume flow rate, the method comprising the steps of
accumulating gaseous and non-gaseous fluids from the
production well in a separator;
15 compressing the gaseous fluid from the separator;
injecting the compressed gaseous fluid into the gas-lift well
at or below the injection volume flow rate;
sensing a Volume flow rate of gaseous fluid from the sepa
rator into the compressor;
diverting compressed gaseous fluid out of the compressor
and into the separator if the sensed volume flow rate of
gaseous fluid from the separator into the compressor is at
or below the injection volume flow rate; and
diverting flow of the non-gaseous fluid out of the separator
25 into a sales line if the sensed Volume flow rate of gaseous
fluid from the separator into the compressor is above the
injection volume flow rate.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the producing
well and the gas-lift well are the same.
30 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the producing
well comprises a plurality of producing wells.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gas-lift
well comprises a plurality of gas-lift wells.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of
35 sensing the Volume flow rate of gaseous fluid from the sepa
rator into the compressor is performed by a flow rate sensor
coupled between the separator and compressor.
6. A method of injecting gaseous fluid produced from a
production well into a gas-lift well at a selected injection
40 Volume flow rate, the method comprising the steps of
accumulating gaseous and non-gaseous fluids from the
production well in a separator;
compressing the gaseous fluid from the separator;
sensing a Volume of accumulated non-gaseous fluid in the
45 separator;
diverting compressed gaseous fluid out of the compressor
and into the separator and discharging the non-gaseous
fluid from the separator if the sensed volume of accu
mulated non-gaseous fluid is in excess of a selected
50 level; and if the sensed Volume of accumulated non
gaseous fluid is below the selected level:
injecting the compressed gaseous fluid into the gas-lift well
at or below the injection volume flow rate;
sensing a Volume flow rate of gaseous fluid from the sepa
55 rator into the compressor;
diverting compressed gaseous fluid out of the compressor
and into the separator if the sensed volume flow rate of
gaseous fluid from the separator in to the compressor is
at or below the injection volume flow rate; and
60 diverting flow of the non-gaseous fluid out of the separator
into a sales line if the sensed Volume flow rate of gaseous
fluid from the separator into the compressor is above the
injection volume flow rate.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the producing
65 well and the gas-lift well are the same.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the producing
well comprises a plurality of producing wells.
 US 8,113,288 B2
7 8
9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the gas-lift a make-up line coupled to the outlet of the compressor and
well comprises a plurality of gas-lift wells. to the separator to selectively return compressed gaseous
10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of fluid to the separator when the production volume flow
sensing the Volume of accumulated non-gaseous fluid in the rate of gaseous fluid into the separator is below a
separator is performed by a non-gaseous fluid level sensor in 5 selected level; and
the separator. a non-gaseous fluid level sensor in the separator.
11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the pro
sensing the Volume flow rate of gaseous fluid from the sepa ducing well and the gas-lift well are the same.
rator into the compressor is performed by a flow rate sensor 14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the pro
coupled between the separator and compressor. 10 ducing well comprises a plurality of producing wells.
12. An apparatus for injecting gas from a producing well 15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the gas
into a gas-lift well, the apparatus comprising: lift well comprises a plurality of gas-lift wells.
a separator configured to receive separate gaseous and 16. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a dump
non-gaseous fluids produced by the producing well, the valve is coupled to the non-gaseous fluid level sensor, the
separator receiving gaseous fluid at a production volume is sensor opening the dump valve when the level of non-gaseous
flow rate; fluid in the separator exceeds a selected level.
a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet 17. The apparatus according to claim 12, further compris
coupled to receive gaseous fluid from the separator and ing a flow rate sensor coupled between the separator and
compress it, the outlet coupled to the gas-lift well to compressor.
inject gaseous fluid into the gas-lift well at a selected 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a make
injection volume flow rate; up gas valve is coupled to the flow rate sensor, the sensor
a sales line coupled to the separator to discharge fluid from opening the make-up gas valve when the production Volume
the separator when the Volume of non-gaseous fluid in flow rate of gaseous fluid falls below the injection flow rate of
the separator exceeds a selected level or when the vol gaseous fluid.
ume of non-gaseous fluid in the separator is below a s
selected level and the production volume flow rate of
gaseous fluid into the separator is above a selected level;